Today, the ruins of Ako Castle have been well developed with lots of restored items probably thanks to the Ako Incident and the 47 Ronin. However, the ruins are worth more than its popularity and have distinct perspectives.
現在、赤穂城跡はいくつもの復元物とともによく整備されています。これは恐らく赤穂事件と四十七士による影響も大きいでしょう。しかし、この城跡はその知名度に増して訪れる価値があり、ここならではの特徴があります。
Ako Castle was located on the western edge of Harima Province, facing the Seto Inland Sea, which is now known as Ako City in Hyogo Prefecture. The castle is known as a stage for the Ako Incident, one of the most popular historical events in Japan. It’s also famous for salt industry since salt fields were developed during the Middle Ages. There is little rain in the area.
赤穂城は瀬戸内海に面した播磨国の西端、現在の兵庫県赤穂市にあった城でした。この城は、日本の最も有名な歴史イベントの一つ、赤穂事件の舞台の一つとなった場所です。また、赤穂は雨が少ない地域であり、塩田が開発されて以来、製塩業が盛んであることでも知られています。
I climbed Kuruma-yama Mountain to its top to confirm that the idea of the attackers firing upon the castle in the battle in 1590 would was realistic.
In this article, let us simulate walking from the outer southern edge of the castle through the center to the tip.
Hachigata Castle was located in modern day Yorii Town in the northern part of Saitama Prefecture. The castle was prominent both when the Sengoku Period of the Kanto Region started and ended.
The enclosures on the northern ridge of Kiriyama Castle look isolated from the other mountains around, so it must have been the real final stronghold.
Regarding the ruins of Kitabatake Clan Hall, visiting them starts from when you enter the Taki area. If you go on the steep Nigaki Mountain Pass to the ruins, it may give you a good understanding of how the hall was protected by this natural hazard.